Should UK opt out of EU?

Answer 1

Ladymoonlight: You're either a naive idiot, or a complete imbecile (or maybe both!).
So you don't like the number of EUROPEAN immigrants flooding the UK, isn't? Then I assume you'd rather prefer the ASIAN ones coming in thousands to the UK.

Before the EU immigrants were allowed in, the British High Commission and its consulates in Pakistan and India (which is the SECOND largest country on the planet, in terms of population) would issue over 2 thousand entry visas to the UK DAILY.
Many of those, who came here, would overstay their visas, find illegal work, and many others would simply NEVER return to their countries of origin, because they'd contract BOGUS marriages, thus "legalising" their stay in the UK, which would eventually lead to an indefinite leave to remain, and then to a British nationality.

But then the UK Govt decided to give the priority to the Europeans, adopting the policy, that jobs have to be offered to the British first, THEN - if none are found wanting to do the job - to the EU citizens, and ONLY THEN - to all others. When the UK Govt opened its borders to the Europeans, the Government dramatically slashed the rate of the UK visas issued in third world countries (such as India and Pakistan, now the statistics being: only 100 visas are issued every day after thorough checks are made).

And still you are moaning about the EU citizens flooding your country?
Let ME ask YOU: you rather prefer your govt to go back to its old policy and allow those Commonwealth citizens (Indians and Pakistanis) to flood your country once again, bringing THEIR Asian culture and traditions to the UK, and - after the UK people extended their warm welcome and the govt gave them the nationality - many of the fundamental Pakistanis would turn out to be terrorists and bomb some objects here in Britain once again (not that I am racist, I am merely referring to the London bombings and other terrorist plots in the UK). Is that what you are so unhappy about?

When the Europeans come to the UK, who AT LEAST bring the European culture to this country, you are unhappy. But when the Asians in the UK started outnumbering the white Anglo-Saxon persons, you kept your mouth shut and never moaned about this problem.

Oh, you know what, why am I arguing with an idiot like yourself - just GET A LIFE!

Answer 2

I wonder how many of the posters who wish to leave are Scottish, Wales or Northern Irish. What would happen if those countries seeded from the United Kingdom in referendums, which appears to be more an more likely with every passing decade.

If, as many have said, the UK leaves so it just has a trading agreement with the rest of the EU, it would be devastating to the UK economy. It would destroy your image on the international stage. Other European countries account for more thatn 53% of visitors to the UK. If the UK left it would severely damage that industry which is the third largest in your country and international tourism is worth £11.9 Billion a year.

Then there is an impact on exports. The image of UK produce will be tarnished not just in European countries, but all over the world equating the UK with isolationism and xenaphopia, it may not be rational but image rarely is.

Then there is justice. There is a reason why the European Court of Human Rights was set up. It was to protect citizens from their own countries government, including the UK.

There is also the fact that if the UK left to just becaome a free trade member, it would have no control or input in what standards are introduced by full EU members.

The EU also has the political weight to block mergers or acquisitions that would harm consumers. The many laws that are passed by the European Union are not only to protect citizens of the its member states, they are also shaped by their representatives in that organisation which are elected in the form of the European Parliment and the European Council(the heads of government of every member state).

Saying the EU is controlling the UKs destiny is like saying the London Parliament is controlling Scotland's, it is true because representatives of the country are involved in the decision making process.

The reason the Commision is unelected is the same reason the Lords or the Irish Seanad is unelected. It is to prevent a branch of the government being influenced by local/constituencial issues and think about the continent's wellbeing as a whole. The UK is a big international player, but the EU as a whole is the stongest force in the WTO and is gaining influence in other areas to the benefit of all member states including the UK.

Leaving the EU would be a bad move for the UK and its citizens, consumers and industries. Relying on the US is unwise, they have flip-flopped on who their closest freinds are, the EU brings together the continets citizens together in a way of interdependence, we need each other, the Irish need the French in the same was as the UK needs the Germans and the Italians need the Spanish. We buy from each other, we sell to each other, we protect those that need protecting in each others states, and together we can lead the world by showing it an example of cooperation of what used to be bitter enemies and what is now the richest, most peacful and prosperious region in the world.

Answer 3

The country Did vote to go in and the fact that our industry is non existent has nothing to do with the EU but ourselves.
In the 70's we were permanently on strike and British Leyland amongst others went to the wall. The French are 25% more efficient than we are even though they have a shorter working week. ( this is not my view but that of the British DTI).
I sell a product that I can buy in Italy or France for £20 and the cheapest I can get it here is £80 this is a ripoff. These countries are not one of those with cheap labour in fact if you go on state pension in France you get 80% of the average wage here it is 37% ( the pension in Greece is even around 80%)
The truth is we just don't do things well.
Look at the roads, Trains, Health system, airports. Water and Elect. and I can go on and on.
Instead of moaning we should be getting our act together.
We will soon be getting our gas from Europe I see electricity also coming from Europe. They own much of our water.
Since everything works better there why not get Blair out and invite the French Govt. to take over.....Vote Royal for president.

Answer 4

I think we genuinely need a new referendum to resolve this issue for the next 30 years...

It is expensive to be in the EU, but we get a lot out of it too ...

Here is just ONE example: how many people here benefit from cheap flights like Ryanair / Easyjet. In point of fact it was the EU that de-regulated international air travel to make these cheap flights possible. Before that EU decision, if you wanted to fly to Spain, you had a choice between BA, Iberia, and a charter flight for a package holidy...and before 1990 the cost of a flight from London to Madrid was about 5 times more than it is now in real terms...

Of course it's expensive in other ways, but that is why we get a rebate (unless His Tonyness gives it up of course) ... Of course, if Britain ever loses it's rebate, then it will be hard to justify economically staying in...

Currently, because of the Single Market, there are no trade barriers, no import duties on anything coming from Europe...

Do you like your glass of Orange Juice in the morning... do you think it's grown here in the UK? Do you like getting grapes and other fruit all the year round?

Do you like Olive Oil on your salad, cheap French or Italian wine with dinner?

Do you like the way you can force a large company like VW to sell you a right-hand drive car from a dealer in Denmark where it is 30% cheaper than in the UK?

I like the way I am English, but I can go get a job working anywhere in Europe whenever I want (currently working in Luxembourg) - without the EU that would be much much harder as all the treaties would be null and void.

Even if you see visible costs to EU membership, such as having no fishing fleet left, no cod left, there are many less-visible benefits such as I have said.

I reckon once all these benefits and costs are outlined by the Yes and No Campaigns for a Referendum, the majority will vote to stay in.

Answer 5

I personally feel that YES the UK should opt out of the EU and as for our economy it should have no real effect to opt out.....ask your self this WHY will no government actually have a referendum on this question or the one about dropping the pound and adapting the euro...............personally ALL i can see with being in the EU is we pay out the wazoo and are totally governed and run by a country / countries that we actually fought wars to NOT be under their rule.................so whats changed now !!!!

Regards

Answer 6

What would be the point - we can only opt out in name. If we want to be part of the European trading bloc we would still have to accept EU legislation. Iceland and Norway aren't in the EU, but they still have to comply with EU rules.

Answer 7

With the amount of EU immigrants flooding over here demanding jobs when there aren't enough to go round anyway, I'm starting to think we should.

Answer 8

Yes, of course, trade with them as we always have done, but don't be controlled by them. Surely, it is common sense, there is no debate to be had as far as I can see, unless you want to see the end of Britain.

As usual 'mojo' has got it wrong, you don't have to be controlled by Europe to trade with it. Europe, trades with the whole world but it obviously doesn't control it. Also, Britain imports a lot more from Europe than it exports, so, it wouldn't be in Europes interests to be difficult. You can have trading agreements and international law and cooperation, without having to be part of Europe. The lefties are always pushing that lie out.

Answer 9

It was titled the European Economic Union. If it had stopped at that we would still have one of the biggest economies in the world and a lot less nonsense.

Answer 10

There is a growing trend in international relations to actually unite and co-operate rather than work on its own, and I'm afraid one has to acknowledge this fact whether one likes it or not. The trend had started in the end of 80s, right after the Cold War, when the two Germanies united. If you look elsewhere, you'll see that countries are actually committing themselves to some kind of formal or informal unions. Look at the Persian Gulf, for instance: the six GCC countries (Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman) are working closer than ever and are even going to adopt a single currency in the next two years.
In short, we live in the age of globalisation. Long gone are the days when countries could adopt the policy of isolationism and survive on its own.

***As for "Karen_s", she sounds like a real populist. Her statements are not based on facts, but rather have been taken from such "respectable" tabloids as 'The Sun'.***